Ascorbic Acid Prevents the Genetic Damage induced by Cyclophosphamide in In vitro Human Lymphocytes

Cyclophosphamide is one of most commonly used in malignant lymphomas. The antioxidants such as Vit C inhibits the toxicity of mutagens/carcinogens in animals and Humans. The protective effects of ascorbic acid (AA) on cyclophosmide (CP) induced cytogenetic damage was evaluated suing analysis of chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes in vitro. When cultures were treated with various doses of ascorbic acid there was no increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocyte cell cultures at all dose levels. But when AA was added to CP significant decrease in the percentage of chromosomal aberrations was observed in human lymphocytes vitC protects the CP in induced genetic damage in human lymphocyte cultures. Hence the results clearly indicate AA supplementation is safer in chemotherapis regimen for treatment of cancer. The VitC protects the cyclophosphamide induced genotoxicity in germ cells of mice. Hence VitC supplementation is safer in chemotherapeutic strategy.